Former Norfolk State star Diamond Johnson was amongst a number of gamers launched by the Minnesota Lynx following their first preseason recreation in opposition to the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night. Per an announcement by the Lynx, Johnson was launched alongside forwards Dalayah Daniels, Ajae Petty and Camryn Taylor.
Johnson was arguably essentially the most stunning omission from final month’s WNBA Draft. Johnson, alongside fellow Spartans star Kierra Wheeler, helped lead the workforce to a program-record 30 wins, an ideal convention document, and the MEAC common season and event titles. The Spartans, who have been undefeated in convention play, received 19 consecutive video games coming into the NCAA Match, with the profitable streak beginning in late December with a victory at Auburn.
Johnson additionally confirmed her immense talent in Norfolk State’s March Insanity first-round matchup in opposition to Maryland, wherein she completed with 18 factors and 4 three-pointers made in her workforce’s 82-69 loss. Johnson proved herself as a dynamic shot creator and was on the radar of the bigger school basketball world, profitable quite a few awards in-season for her play and was named to a number of awards watch lists.
The proficient guard began her profession as a five-star recruit in the identical 2020 class as Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, and Kamilla Cardoso. She was, actually, ranked the sixth greatest participant in that class. Whereas in her school journey, she had stints at Rutgers and North Carolina State earlier than ultimately touchdown at Norfolk State. At every of her stops, she confirmed her five-star stage expertise.
As a freshman at Rutgers, she averaged 17.6 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and a couple of.3 steals per recreation, incomes spots on the All-Massive Ten Second Staff and the All-Freshman Staff. At North Carolina State, she was named the 2022 ACC Sixth Lady of the 12 months as a sophomore. In her junior season, regardless of being restricted to 22 video games as a result of an ankle harm, she earned second-team All-ACC honors, averaging 12.3 factors, 4.2 rebounds, and three.5 assists whereas taking pictures 41.6% from the sector.
She then transferred to Norfolk State and continued her streak of success. Throughout her time with this system, she led the Spartans to back-to-back convention championships and consecutive March Insanity appearances, the place the workforce performed Stanford and Maryland, respectively.
Johnson’s coaching camp invite with the Lynx was a main likelihood to showcase her expertise and earn a spot on a aggressive workforce. Nonetheless, Minnesota determined to launch her earlier than she received the possibility to play in Tuesday night’s preseason recreation. Regardless of being let go, Johnson nonetheless has the chance to pursue knowledgeable profession and land a spot on one other WNBA workforce’s roster.